Question

Connell’s results led him to conclude that Chthamalus’ realized niche is smaller than its fundamental niche because of interspecific competition with Balanus. But what if competitive exclusion were not the explanation? What if Chthamalus’ and Balanus’ respective niches were a result of niche differentiation instead? Niche differentiation occurs when two species with overlapping niches change over time in a way that reduces their niche overlap, and thus reduces their competition for resources.

Answer 1

Both realized niche and fundamental niche are similar in size.

Step-by-step explanation:

If Chthamalus’ and Balanus’ respective niches were a result of niche differentiation so we can say that Chthamalus’ realized niche is not smaller than its fundamental niche. It will be of the same size because of no interspecific competition with Balanus. The whole fundamental niche is considered the niche of the Chthamalus' alone due to no competition with Balanus' for resources present in the ecosystem.